Estate Planning for Sullivan County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Sullivan County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

For a Sullivan County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Sullivan County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Sullivan County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Indiana probates run 6+ months and start with $177 in filing fees. Indiana also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Sullivan County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Sullivan County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, an Indiana transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentIC 32-17-14-1 to 32-17-14-32Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathIC 32-17-14-1 to 32-17-14-32Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Sullivan County are recorded with the County Recorder at 100 Courthouse Square, 2nd Floor, Room 205, Sullivan, IN 47882. Phone: 812-268-4844. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Sullivan County comes to $35, which is $25 in recording fees plus the $10 County Auditor's real property endorsement (transfer). A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Sullivan County

Address

100 Courthouse Square, 2nd Floor, Room 205Sullivan, IN 47882

Fax

812-268-0521

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$25
County Auditor's real property endorsement (transfer)Applies to a TOD deed$10
SDF-1 (State Form 46021) Sales Disclosure Form$20
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

IC 36-2-7-10(c)(1)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Sullivan County

FirmTerre Haute, IN

Felling, Farnsworth & Wudtke

Serves 6 counties

Terre Haute and Greencastle firm serving Vigo, Putnam, and surrounding Wabash Valley counties; formerly Nattkemper & Farnsworth, now practicing as Felling, Farnsworth & Wudtke. Attorney Jared A. Farnsworth handles estate and trust administration alongside wills, trusts, and Medicaid planning, and the firm takes guardianship and probate litigation and trust and estate disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 3 more

Office
400 Ohio StTerre Haute, IN 47807

FirmTerre Haute, IN

Hassler Kondras Miller LLP

Since 1932 · Serves 5 counties

Terre Haute firm serving Vigo County, in practice for more than 80 years. Attorney Mark Hassler handles will contests and contested estates, trust disputes on behalf of trustees and beneficiaries, and estate administration, taking contested matters to court when necessary.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationProbate Administration

Office
100 Cherry StTerre Haute, IN 47807

FirmSullivan, IN

Hawkins Elder Law PC

Serves 4 counties

Sullivan firm run by Jeff and Jennifer Hawkins, both Trust & Estate Specialty Board Certified Indiana Trust & Estate Lawyers, serving Sullivan County and west-central Indiana. Handles management of deceased people's estates and guardianships, along with wills, trusts, elder law, and nursing-home Medicaid applications.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
999 N Section StSullivan, IN 47882

FirmCovington, IN

Wallace Law Firm

Since 1915 · Serves 4 counties

Covington firm (Fountain County) practicing since 1915, with a second office in Rockville. Its estate work is planning-side: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Known in the local courts of Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, and Warren counties, where it also handles criminal, family law, and personal injury matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyWills Trusts

Office
303 Washington StCovington, IN 47932

Solo PracticeVincennes, IN

Bouchie Law LLC

Serves the whole state

Vincennes firm led by Knox County native Tanner Bouchie, frequently representing clients in Knox, Daviess, Sullivan, Greene, Pike, and Dubois counties. Handles wills, trusts and estates and guardianship arrangements for loved ones, alongside business formation, real estate, and family law. Clients book appointments online and meet remotely.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipWills Trusts

Office
P.O. Box 992Vincennes, IN 47591
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmNew Albany, IN

Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law

Serves the whole state

New Albany firm serving Floyd County and southern Indiana from offices in New Albany, Corydon, and Salem. Handles supervised and unsupervised estate administration, small-estate and intestate matters, creditor claims and asset distribution, and estate and trust litigation. Gary Banet also takes guardianships, elder law, and special-needs planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 6 more

Office
318 Pearl St, Suite 200New Albany, IN 47150
See all 18 firms serving Sullivan County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Data sourced from Indiana statutes and official state code. How we research.

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